The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Photo: Four Star Leadership.
A Franklin High School student will join 49 other students from around the country in a leadership camp hosted by Gen. Tommy Franks (Ret.).
Kishan Patel, 17, an incoming senior, was chosen to participate in the “Four Star Leadership Program” for his “demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding character,” according to a press release.
The camp runs from July 12-19 in Oklahoma City, Ok.
Patel, who plans to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., is the battalion executive officer for his Junior ROTC unit, a cadet major, a drill team and color guard commander.
Guest speakers at the conference will include Oklahoma Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, and multiple Olympic Gold medalist Michele Smith, according to the release. Round trip travel for Patel and all participants in the program has been provided by PepsiCo, Inc.
Since 2008, “Four Star” has welcomed more than 250 high school students from all over the U.S., and 30 international students, according to the release. Kings, governors, senators, Olympic Gold medalists and top national policy experts have mentored students in developing and demonstrating the core leadership principles of the program: character, common vision, communication, and caring.
Each session will follow curriculum designed to develop leadership skills and challenge students through team-building exercises, collaboration, spontaneous problem solving and competition. Excursions during the week will provide participants opportunities to further develop and employ those skills through cultural experiences and service projects.
Finalists in the camp’s congressional debate competition will be awarded scholarships for the colleges of their choice, according to the release.
Co-hosts for the conference are the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), Oklahoma Christian University, and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.
